NSW Police said on Tuesday that a 17-year-old boy had been arrested and charged with false representation resulting in a police investigation.

The charge comes after police were made aware of alleged threats on social media by the boy that resulted in both the Manly ferry service and the Sydney Opera House being evacuated and searched last week.

The 17-year-old is due to appear at Children's Court on 23 February.

Brad Esposito is a news reporter for BuzzFeed and is based in Sydney, Australia.